Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 3,490,949?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 34909497 x 49870711 x 31735977 x 45337
Negative: -1 x -3490949-7 x -498707-11 x -317359-77 x -45337


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 3,490,949?

Unfortunately, there's not simple formula to identifying all of the factors of a number and it can be a tedious process when trying to identify the divisors of larger numbers. To find the factor combinations of the number 3,490,949, it is easier to work with a table - it's called factoring from the outside in.

Outside in Factoring

We start by creating a table and writing 1 on the left side and then the number we're trying to find the factors for on the right side in a table. Then, below that, write the numbers as a negative as well.

1 3,490,949
-1 -3,490,949

Why are the negative numbers included?

When you multiply two negative numbers together, you get a positive number. That means both the positive and negative numbers are factors of 3,490,949.

Example:
1 x 3,490,949 = 3,490,949
and
-1 x -3,490,949 = 3,490,949
Notice both answers equal 3,490,949

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 3,490,949 and divide it by 2:

3,490,949 ÷ 2 = 1,745,474.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 1,745,474.5 are factors. In this case, the quotient is not a whole number. Don't write anything down and try the next divisor.

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 3,490,949
-1 -3,490,949

Now, we try dividing 3,490,949 by 3:

3,490,949 ÷ 3 = 1,163,649.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 1,163,649.6667 are factors. In this case, the quotient is not a whole number. Don't write anything down and try the next divisor.

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 3,490,949
-1 -3,490,949

Let's try dividing by 4:

3,490,949 ÷ 4 = 872,737.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 872,737.25 are factors. In this case, the quotient is not a whole number. Don't write anything down and try the next divisor.

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 3,490,949
-1 3,490,949
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

If you did it right, you will end up with this table:

17117745,337317,359498,7073,490,949
-1-7-11-77-45,337-317,359-498,707-3,490,949

More Examples

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